Experience sharing: Over 120 clinicians and medical experts from the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Beijing, Guangdong and Hong Kong take part in the two-day workshop co-organised by the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau and the WHO.

The world will ultimately prevail over the SARS virus by joining hands and putting heads together, irrespective of race or national boundaries, the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says.

Kicking off the SARS Clinical Management Workshop today, Dr Yeoh said the gathering will be a living testament to the collaborative partnership that the World Health Organisation has worked so tirelessly to foster.

"It is only through such global partnerships that effective measures on the prevention and control of infectious diseases can be put in place," he added.

He thanked clinicians, scientists and other healthcare workers for their selfless dedication in treating the disease at the frontline, adding that unprecedented progress has been made by the scientific local and international community - though much remains unknown about the disease.

The workshop, co-organised by the bureau and the WHO, aims to gather the best currently available clinical evidence in SARS management and control of infection in healthcare settings by bringing together representatives from different countries to share their experiences.

Clinical experts from different parts of the world will share their knowledge and experience in three aspects of SARS management, namely clinical presentation and progression of disease, treatment methods, and hospital infection and infection control.

Dr Yeoh noted that a consensus document will be formulated after the workshop to provide a scientific base for SARS clinical management and to guide further research.

It will also signify a milestone in efforts to harness the best treatment regiment in the SARS battle.